For most, The Gateway International Bridge functions as
it should, allowing people to get between the U.S. and
Mexico. But on a hot Sunday afternoon, a dozen migrants at
the mouth of the bridge weren’t getting anywhere at all.
They had been told, once again, to wait.
At a press conference the next day, President Trump once
again touted the border wall he has promised supporters.
“The wall is getting longer and taller and stronger each and
every day”, he said, even though construction has not
begun. The President’s characterization of the physical wall
was false, but his Administration has effectively erected an
invisible one.
It is built, in part, from situations like the one at the
bridge, which illustrates the problem with this kind of
barrier. The practices that Trump praises for keeping out
criminals also punish those who are trying to follow the
rules.
Those migrants who spoke to TIME at the bridge had
varied stories but shared a determination to cross. Some
understood a bit of what could happen to them next. How
long could it take to get processed? And if they did
ultimately apply for asylum, it remained to be seen whether
their stories would qualify. The regulations governing such
matters are complicated, and the vast majority who apply
are rejected. But in theory, their fates would be decided at
immigration courts, not at the border.
TIME, August 23, 2018. Adaptado.